Frictional Behavior Downdip Along the Subduction Megathrust: Insights From Laboratory Experiments on Exhumed Samples at In Situ Conditions

den Hartog, S. M.; Marone, C.; Saffer, D. M.

doi:10.1029/2022jb024435

Frictional Behavior Downdip Along the Subduction Megathrust: Insights From Laboratory Experiments on Exhumed Samples at In Situ Conditions

Journal Article · Sat Nov 19 00:00:00 EST 2022 · Journal of Geophysical Research. Solid Earth

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/2022jb024435· OSTI ID:2418667

^[1]; ^[2]; Saffer, D. M. ^[3]

Department of Geosciences The Pennsylvania State University University Park PA USA; The Lyell Centre Heriot‐Watt University Edinburgh UK; Now at State Supervision of Mines Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy The Hague The Netherlands; OSTI
Department of Geosciences The Pennsylvania State University University Park PA USA; Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra La Sapienza Università di Roma Rome Italy
Department of Geological Sciences Jackson School of Geosciences Institute for Geophysics University of Texas Austin TX USA

Subduction megathrusts exhibit a spectrum of slip modes, including catastrophic earthquakes. Although the mechanical and frictional properties of materials sampled from subduction zones have been studied extensively, few datasets have been collected for compositions and at pressure and temperature conditions representative of those in situ. The Nankai subduction zone in southwest Japan is a well-studied margin, and abundant data provide an opportunity to advance our understanding of fault and earthquake physics. Here, we use samples exhumed in the Shimanto and Sanbagawa Belts on Shikoku Island of southwest Japan that represent analogs for materials along the present-day megathrust at depths of ~5–>25 km, and we shear these at their peak in situ pressure-temperature (P-T) conditions. Effective normal stresses range from 28 to 192 MPa, and temperatures from 105°C to 470°C. We used pore fluid pressures of 45–240 MPa, corresponding to fluid overpressure ratios λ of 0.65 and 0.90. Slip velocities of 0.1–100 μm/s were used, in order to focus on the nucleation of instability and earthquakes. We found predominantly velocity-strengthening (inherently stable) behavior under all conditions for λ = 0.65. For λ = 0.90, velocity-weakening behavior was observed at 350°C, with velocity-strengthening behavior at lower and higher temperatures. The rate/state frictional stability parameter (a-b) increases with slip velocity at temperatures up to ~200°C and remains constant or decreases with slip velocity at higher temperatures. Altogether, our results demonstrate the potentially important roles of both temperature and slip velocity in controlling the distribution of stress and frictional rheology along subduction thrusts.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: European Research Council; National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE; USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Geothermal Technologies Office

Grant/Contract Number:: EE0008763; SC0020512

OSTI ID:: 2418667

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 2538743
OSTI ID: 1922882

Journal Information:: Journal of Geophysical Research. Solid Earth, Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research. Solid Earth Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 128; ISSN 2169-9313

Publisher:: American Geophysical UnionCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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58 GEOSCIENCES
Nankai Trough
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frictional behavior
geochemistry & geophysics
in situ conditions
megathrust
subduction zone

Frictional Behavior Downdip Along the Subduction Megathrust: Insights From Laboratory Experiments on Exhumed Samples at In Situ Conditions

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